Changing the way we eat

For most of us, our present way of life, including the way that we eat, is not working. We don’t have enough energy to really enjoy life the way we want to and our health is not improving. We need to change the way that we eat. For many years now, since the 1960s in fact, we have been told that fat is bad for us and we need to reduce it from our diets.

We now know that that information was incorrect and that a high fat, low sugar diet will improve cardiovascular health, reduce inflammation, reduce obesity levels and chronic diseases. In order to achieve improved health, we take a holistic approach to ensure that not only is your way of eating modified, but also your mindset about food and what food means to you. It is only through this multi-pronged approach can we help you achieve your health goals not only in the short term but the long term.

What are ketones and ketosis?

Our bodies have learnt to use glucose as an energy source however, when there are insufficient levels of glucose available due to a low carb diet, ketogenic diet, fasting, or prolonged exercise, our bodies will switch to using fat for energy.

When fat is converted to energy, ketones are formed which the brain and the body will use for fuel. This is known as ketosis. The ketones are actually a bi-product of the burning of fat and are composed of: Beta Hydroxybutyrate (BHB), Acetoacetate (ACA) and acetone.

Ketones are much more efficient as an energy source and have been shown to have many benefits to the human body including greater focus, better sleep, fat loss, appetite suppression, better mood, etc.

When we are born we are actually in a ketogenic state. It is not until we start eating more carbohydrates that we switch to using glucose for energy so ketosis is actually our natural state.

The ketogenic diet

Following a ketogenic diet will allow your body to return to its natural state of being in ketosis. This diet can be challenging for most people to follow though as it requires high fat consumption (70%), a moderate protein consumption (20%) and a low level of carbohydrate consumption (10%). Carbohydrates usually have to be kept under approximately 10 grams in order to maintain ketosis within the body; considering a medium apple is about 15 grams of carbs, it can be difficult for most people to follow the diet. It is only until the body runs out of glucose will it switch to ketones as an energy source. Fortunately, there are exogenous ketones available that can assist those that are interested in changing the way they eat to help them with this switch to the more natural ketogenic diet.

Benefits of ketones

Focus:

better cognitive function

reduced brain fog

Day-to-day:

better sleep

improved bowel motility

reduced carb cravings

Energy:

more energy

improved athletic performance

Weight management:

improved insulin sensitivity

balanced blood sugar levels

fat loss

enhanced muscle mass

Neurological balancing:

reduced frequency and intensity of migraines

anxiety

depression

PTSD

MS

Parkinson’s Disease

Hormone balancing:

regulation of male and female sex hormones

menstrual cycle regulation

Further research:

Cancer

ADHD

Autism

Auto-Immune diseases

Exogenous Ketones

All of the benefits of being in a ketosis, where ketones are present in your body without having to follow a strict ketogenic diet, are possible by consuming exogenous ketones. These ketones are derived from coconut oil and are the same Beta Hydroxybutyrate (BHB) that is found when the body breaks down fat. Exogenous ketones can be added to liquid and drank, placing the body in ketosis within 45 mins of consumption when you will start to notice some of the benefits stated above. For more information on ketones, ketosis and exogenous ketones, please watch the following video.